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Tree Planting Subsidies Available!
Many landowners can easily relate to the old Chinese proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Over the past forty-plus years, these “wise” landowners led by example and participated in planting initiatives, such as the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Woodlands Improvement Agreement program. The evidence of this early tree planting is front and centre as we travel our rural landscape. We can view the results — an impressive 135,000 hectares of plantations have been established on over 10,000 properties across Ontario.
Why not join in the vision of these early leaders? Whether your tree planting objectives are to improve wildlife habitat, to generate income or to assist in mitigating climate change — let’s follow the Chinese proverb and plan to plant some trees today.
The 50 Million Tree Program
Fortunately, landowners across southern Ontario have access to some significant financial incentives to support their tree planting endeavours. Trees Ontario and the Ministry of Natural Resources have partnered together to plant 50 million trees by the year 2020. The goals of the 50 Million Tree Program include carbon sequestration; enhancing and diversifying southern Ontario’s landscape; increasing the capacity to withstand climate change; increasing wildlife habitat; and providing local economic opportunities.
The program is specifically designed to increase the number of trees being planted across southern Ontario by significantly reducing the cost to the landowner. Landowners wanting to plant one hectare or more can receive up to 75% in financial incentives for their planting projects.
To deliver the program on the ground Trees Ontario has partnered with local tree planting agencies (i.e., regional conservation authorities, local Ontario Stewardship councils and forest consultants) across Ontario who work directly with landowners within their respective communities to determine site eligibility, allocate funding and coordinate planting activities.
In the spring of 2011, 2.5 million trees were planted by over 40 planting agencies. The goal is to reach 5 million trees by the year 2014. To date, Trees Ontario and its partners have planted close to 13 million trees across the province.
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How Much Can I Save!
Here is an example from eastern Ontario – a landowner’s contribution of 15¢ per tree (planting at a density of 900 red pine trees per acre) would amount to about $135 per acre under the 50 Million Tree Program. The planting delivery agent would undertake the planting on your behalf, with the program providing the additional funds required.
Compare this to a DIY planting project. Nursery stock alone can cost 42¢ or more per seedling, or $378 per acre. The cost of site preparation, planting, and tending can easily add another 85¢ per tree to the project costs, bringing the total cost of the DIY project to about $1,143 per acre.
Note – the landowner contribution for the 50 Million Tree Program will differ across the province, depending on your local planting agent, species planted, the difficulty of the planting site, size of the property, etc.
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